The Arkansas Community Foundation’s Access to Local Foods Grant program is open for applications from October 28 to November 22, 2024. This grant supports initiatives that increase access to locally grown foods across Arkansas, particularly in food desert areas. Eligible projects may include efforts to support farmers and gardeners who provide fresh produce in underserved areas, innovative strategies to connect local growers with distribution channels, and programs that foster collaboration within the local food ecosystem, such as learning cohorts and cooperative networks.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, churches, hospitals, and government entities with a strong presence in Arkansas are eligible to apply. Eight grants of $15,000 each will be awarded for one-year projects that contribute to broader food access goals in Arkansas. The foundation seeks programs with experienced personnel and those that can demonstrate partnerships or connections to a larger network of food production and distribution.

Programs focused solely on personal-use community gardens or educational school gardens are not the target of this grant. Instead, projects should aim to increase local food availability and address barriers that limit food access for communities. For more details, applicants can contact the foundation at arcfgrants@arcf.org or by calling 501-372-1116.